There Once Was a Shamsher in His Time…!

Ali Nawaz Rahimoo

Umerkot: Shamsher-ul-Haidari is the name of an era in which many political, social, literary, and other movements emerged in Sindh. He was a man who, shoulder to shoulder with his companions, confronted every conspiracy against Sindh.

The fundamental principle of his life was truthfulness toward his land and its people.

Shamsher-ul-Haidari is the name of an era in which Sindh’s political, social, literary, and many other movements were born. He was the man who, with his comrades, stood firm against every plot against his homeland. He was neither a feudal lord nor a wealthy man, but he accomplished all of this through his writings and practical struggle.

His personality had many dimensions. At the same time, he was a beautiful poet of free verse and songs, an outstanding playwright, an expressive columnist, a fearless journalist, and a bold editor.

Though he served in several government positions, he never retreated from his stance. Without a doubt, he was a merchant of the commodity of love, who would trade only in the rare jewels of beauty and wisdom.

He knew well the art of revealing richness within poverty and of seeing royalty within simplicity. He was gifted enough to turn night into day, and he was the custodian of the priceless treasure of principles. He preserved the dignity of excellence in work, matchless labor, the beauty of creativity, and the honor of the pen.

He devoted himself to deep study and inspiring literary labor. Remaining steadfast in his Sindhi identity, he wrote songs and poems that awakened the nation.

He became a guardian of the rights of the people of his land. He played a wise role in paving the way for welcoming new trends and genres in literature.

In the face of oppression, he never let go of the beautiful weapons of awareness and intellect. Sindh today remembers and cherishes this generous soul who distributed the pearls of loyalty, in the name of Shamsher-ul-Haidari.

“Where is the ring of Shamsher’s sword?

The world has forgotten the matters of conscience!”

The renowned poet, writer, journalist, and physician Shamsher Ali Khawaja was born on 15 September 1931 in the town of Kadhan, district Badin, to Rasul Bakhsh Khawaja. He received his early education in Badin. In 1948, he enrolled at Sindh Madrassatul Islam in Karachi for higher studies but was expelled on charges of organizing a strike.

In 1950, he left his education incomplete and returned to his village, unable to complete matriculation. After some time, he resumed his studies, attending N.J.V. School Karachi, Noor Muhammad High School Hyderabad, and Lawrence School Tando Bago.

He earned his BA from Sindh University Jamshoro, and in 1963, completed an MA in Sindhi literature. For his final-year thesis, he wrote a monograph titled “Poet for All Times and the Free Poetry of Sindh.” He also received religious education at Haji Ahmed Mallah’s madrasa in Badin.

Professionally, Shamsher-ul-Haidari served in various departments.

Around 1950, he worked as a clerk at a rice mill in Badin, in 1951 as a telephone operator in the Irrigation Department, in 1952 as a manager at the Agriculture Cooperative Credit Bank in Badin, and in 1954 as an assistant editor at Hilal-e-Pakistan in Karachi.

In 1955, he joined the quarterly magazine Mehrān of the Sindhi Adabi Board as a clerk, later becoming its assistant editor from 1956 to 1966. From 1965 to 1977, he was editor of the monthly Nai Zindagi, published by the Federal Information and Broadcasting Department.

In 1977, under PPP’s government, Federal Minister for Communications Mumtaz Bhutto appointed him Deputy Manager at the Communication Information Cell. In 1988, during Benazir Bhutto’s government, he served as Chief of Public Relations in Grade 19 and was later promoted to Grade 20 as Provincial Chief at the Youth Investment Promotion Bureau, retiring from this position.

From 1993 to 1995, he also served as Secretary of the Sindhi Adabi Board.

He was among the founders of Sindhi Adabi Sangat. After the resignation of the noted writer Ayaz Qadri as its General Secretary in 1956, Shamsher took over the post, serving continuously for ten years — the first person to do so — and organizing the body to strengthen Sindhi literature and language.

Through this platform, he raised his voice for many causes, including securing the rightful place of the Sindhi language, establishing institutions, and promoting its use in radio, television, educational institutions, and public life.

In his early years, Shamsher had no special interest in literature, but his uncle, Dr. Nazir Hussain Haidari, played a vital role in shaping his intellectual development. His literary taste further matured in the company of his close friend Akhtar Rizvi. After joining Mehrān magazine, literary giants like Muhammad Ibrahim Joyo and Maulana Ghulam Muhammad Grami guided him.

Though he experimented with various genres, his greatest success came in free verse, earning him recognition as one of its pioneers in Sindh.

He also brought new color and style to the ghazal. Many of his poems were sung by artists and became popular. He also wrote humorous poetry.

Shamsher hosted many programs and mushairas on Radio Pakistan Hyderabad and Karachi, wrote radio dramas and songs, delivered lectures, wrote features, and conducted interviews. When PTV launched Sindhi programs, he became its first Sindhi compere and newsreader.

He dramatized Mirza Qaleech Beg’s first novel Zeenat, broadcast on PTV under the direction of Abdul Karim Baloch. PTV’s very first Sindhi song was also written by him.

He later wrote hundreds of documentaries and dramas, one of which, Kak Mahal, became hugely popular.

His journalism career began in 1952 with the weekly Sindhi newspaper Ailan-e-Haq from Badin. In 1983, he was appointed editor of the daily Mehran in Hyderabad, where he supported the MRD movement against General Zia-ul-Haq, leading to his dismissal.

In 1984, he worked for the newspaper Hidayat under Muhammad Ibrahim Joyo’s editorship, later becoming editor of the monthly Halchal. In 1989, Begum Nusrat Bhutto appointed him editor of Hilal-e-Pakistan. He also worked for Moomal, Saanjh Digest, Paras, Khalq, Ailan-e-Haq, and many other publications.

Shamsher was a founding member of the Sindh Graduates Association (SGA), the first administrator of Roshan Tara Schools, editor of Hayati (SGA’s publication), a founding member of the Pakistan Writers Guild, general secretary of the Workers Union Hyderabad, a member of the Executive Committee of the West Pakistan Labour Federation, member of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, member of the Film Censor Board, member of the Council of Hakims of Pakistan, member of the Karachi Press Club, and a lifelong honorary member of the Badin Press Club.

His published works include: Insan Kamil, Karwan-e-Karbala, Porus Ja Hathi, Tuhnjun Galhiyun Sanjan, Laat, Tareekh Sindh: Kalhora Period, Sokhri, America Jo Siyasi Sarishtu, Behtareen Sindhi Adab, Sindh Mein Azad Nazm Ji Oosar, Sindhi Shayari Jo Abhyas, Kak Mahal, Tareekh Jo Kachro, Sajag Sanghar, Exploring Sindh, Candid, Film and Flute, Poet for All Times, Pyar Ja Nau Geet, Sindh Update, Roshan Tara, and Sindhi Shayari Jo Abhyas.

For people like Shamsher-ul-Haidari, who live purposeful lives and win the hearts of ordinary people, medals and honors may not hold much importance — but they are still conferred as a mark of respect.

In his lifetime, he received numerous awards, including: Pakistan Television Award, Sindhi Adabi Sangat Award, Sindhi Academy Delhi Award, Marui Delhi, Sambara Top Ten, Sindh Graduates Association Trophy and Gold Medal, Awami Awaz Sath, Nai Zindagi Award, Bazm-e-Jang, Pakistan Council of Hakims Award, and the Presidential Award Pride of Performance.

His role in keeping the Sindhi Adabi Sangat alive was unmatched. As one of the founding members of SGA, he also played a major role in framing its constitution and structure.

He was also an eminent playwright, with his PTV dramas gaining great popularity. His plays blended entertainment with reflections of Sindhi culture and traditions.
In truth, he was the pioneer of Sindhi television. For the start of Sindhi programs, he identified artists, musicians, and poets, and handed them over to Abdul Karim Baloch. He was PTV’s first Sindhi scriptwriter and compere.

In his later life, Shamsher lost his eyesight. He passed away on 10 August 2012 in Karachi, and was laid to rest in the historic Chowkandi graveyard, beside the grave of Tajal Bewas.

His complete poetry collection was published under the title “Tuhnjay Nainan Mein Jo Nihari Gayo.” In addition, a special Shamsher-ul-Haidari edition of Mehrān magazine was published.

Call out to Shamsher — where is he? Perhaps it is his words that will once again set gatherings alight.

The article is the writer’s opinion, it may or may not adhere to the organization’s editorial policy.

The writer is a freelancer based in Umerkot and can be reached at anrahimoo@gmail.com.

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